August (2016) Running Challenge
Replies
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MNLittleFinn wrote: »On the med thing. I hate my genetics. On BP meds, but since I started running, I got taken off my cholesterol meds. Got both those lovely problems from me dad. Unfortunately, the BP hasn't gone away, but at least now I can eat how I want and the cholesterol stays in normal range, due to running.
I can 100% relate to this. My BP and cholesterol issues are also completely my father's fault. I've had slightly elevated cholesterol since I first had full blood work done around the age of 8 or 9. For years, my blood pressure would spike big time when I was stressed, but it has been steadily elevated for about the past two years. When I was "overweight" it was only ever by about 8 lbs, and I have been relatively athletic and active my entire life - I have played some sort of sport, regularly took aerobics classes, or ran ever since I started gymnastics at the age of 3. Diabetes also runs rampant on all sides of my family, so I'm looking forward to most likely dealing with that somewhere down the line. Yay genetics!
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1-stung by a bee yesterday. was told i shouldn't run today
2-leg was doing well but woke up in pain this morning and a little swelling, putting run off till tomorrow just in case.
3-1.66 mi and an 1hr of foam rolling class.
4-nothing
5-nothing yet. aerial yoga or a run maybe-might have a kidney infection. i have to wait for results
6-nothing
7-renfair. i walked 5 miles but no running
8-slept in-recovering from faire
9-back and neck seizing up and i was up early and everything
10-2.01mi and 1 hour foam rollling
11-nope
12-date night
13-8.02mi it felt good but was rough
14-nope
15-nope
16-cold/flare
17-nothing
18-maybe this afternoon after work. kidneys hurt again even thought tests say everything is fine. stupid autoimmune
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@Elise4270 milwaukee has fun opportunities and there is a great group called badgerland striders here.
we have a couple of research colleges, GE, and a few other companies that might be looking for chemist sorta people
@HonuNui lol.0 -
KatieJane83 wrote: »
SO. MUCH. THIS. Might have to print it out and poster it up or something.You are in the stage we call, "Embrace the suck!". Keep at it, and it will no longer suck, but then you stop improving.
Which is where I invented the mantra, "Invent new ways to make it suck."
I know that if I want to Boston Qualify some day and continue to improve, then if it's easy and enjoyable, I am not doing enough to get to Boston. But that's just how I am wired, I am very goal orientated. If's it's not a challenge to me then I get bored and I go do something else.
Other people do have this zen attitude with running. They just go and run and are able to just zone out and forget the watch, forget the pace, forget the pain, and just run for the sake of running. No goals, no BQs, no PRs, just pure endorphines.
Seriously, I love this. I understand that some people just run for pleasure, and relaxing, and enjoyment, but I'm constantly looking for the next goal or PR I can hit. I struggle with easy runs because I always feel like I should be pushing. Right now, my motivation of embracing the suck of summer running is running my first half marathon (I've done 1 before, but it was with an overuse injury that blew up at mile 6 and caused me to walk the 2nd half - failure in my crazy brain - and which led to my prolonged period of falling out of running), and getting back to my former 5k PR time of 22:50 (I have a long ways to go seeing as I'm at just under 29:00 right now). I'm not sure where/if it's going to stop, I always used to say I'd be happy maxing out at half marathons, but now I've already decided that I'm definitely going to go for a full marathon by the end of next year. I'm an all or nothing kind of person with exercise in general. When I get out of it, I am so lazy, but once I get back into it it's full-force addicted to it, lol.
Now don't misunderstand me. Easy runs are supposed to be run easy.
But the more challenging runs should be run in a way that will make you feel uncomfortable.
When I invent new ways to suck, that means I find something each week that is going to take me from down here to up there. Maybe it means instead of doing 8 hill repeats on Thursday, I now bump it up to 10. Or Monday and Thursday I will sneak 5 of the 9 miles in at goal marathon pace. Or instead of 15 mile long run this week, it's an 18 or 20 miler. Something a little extra added that will make me feel it this week.
On the other hand, if every run you do, you feel like you are pushing it, then every run migrates to this mediocre state. The easy runs are ran too hard which means you don't recover enough so that you can run the tempo run (or whatever hard workout you have planned) is actually being done at your threshold pace. Instead you are just a bit slower. It sucks when you are running, but the effort is not enough to achieve whatever it was you were supposed to achieve.
As far as bumping my goals. I ran my first marathon after running for 14 months. I remember that first December 2013, I was only running for 2 months. The local paper had a headline Local Man Wins Rocket City Marathon. I thought to myself, these guys are crazy for running that much. Exactly 12 months later, I was running that very same Rocket Marathon for the very first time. LOL
And yes. When I say that I am goal orientated and what not. How you described it is exactly how I am. All or nothing. I get bored. I get lazy. I slack off. Ok, this is stupid. Let me do something else.2 -
MNLittleFinn wrote: »Random note on running in the morning. Seeing bats going after bugs, and watching an orange/purple/gold sunrise ahead of me, with full dark and a full moon behind me, is all I really need to help me get going in the morning.
.
That is really one of a kind experience! Beautiful!1 -
Today's run was hard. I had a really tough time through the last km. I started to do some strength exercises after my runs since Tuesday, and I feel it all over. I find that I can't do a strength training session on its own, it's too boring, I don't feel like I'm moving enough. Apparently, I'm very much addicted to running outdoors and exploring the paths near work and home.
Have a great day everyone!
1/8: REST
2/8: 5.30 km + 20 mins yoga
3/8: 5.38 km + 20 mins yoga
4/8: 5.39 km + 20 mins yoga
5/8: 5.43 km + 20 mins yoga
6/8: 4.50 km (Walked Colour Vibe due to terrain on course, and it wasn`t even a true 5K)
7/8: 6.05 km + 20 mins yoga
8/8: 5.37 km + 20 mins yoga (New PR! 5K in 34:31)
9/8: REST (early morning meeting; walked all over instead)
10/8: 5.40 km + 20 mins yoga (New PR! 5K in 33:59)
11/8: 5.42 km + 20 mins yoga
12/8: 5.16 km + 20 mins yoga
13/8: REST
14/8: LIFE
15/8: 5.22 km + 20 mins yoga (New PR! 5K in 33:25) + 4.24 km in the evening
16/8: 5.40 km + 20 mins yoga + some strength training (tried Strides for the first time, only managed to do 3)
17/8: 5.39 km + 20 mins yoga + some strength training (1 Stride done)
18/8: 5.42 km + 20 mins yoga + some strength training
19/8:
20/8: REST
21/8:
22/8:
23/8:
24/8:
25/8:
26/8:
27/8:
28/8: REST
29/8:
30/8:
31/8:
Current PR: 5K in 33:25 / 10K in 1:17:??
Races:
6/8: Colour Vibe 5K
24/9: Obstacle Course “Coureur des bois”
20/10-01/11 : Zombies Run! App 2016 Fall Virtual Run
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KatieJane83 wrote: »
SO. MUCH. THIS. Might have to print it out and poster it up or something.You are in the stage we call, "Embrace the suck!". Keep at it, and it will no longer suck, but then you stop improving.
Which is where I invented the mantra, "Invent new ways to make it suck."
I know that if I want to Boston Qualify some day and continue to improve, then if it's easy and enjoyable, I am not doing enough to get to Boston. But that's just how I am wired, I am very goal orientated. If's it's not a challenge to me then I get bored and I go do something else.
Other people do have this zen attitude with running. They just go and run and are able to just zone out and forget the watch, forget the pace, forget the pain, and just run for the sake of running. No goals, no BQs, no PRs, just pure endorphines.
Seriously, I love this. I understand that some people just run for pleasure, and relaxing, and enjoyment, but I'm constantly looking for the next goal or PR I can hit. I struggle with easy runs because I always feel like I should be pushing. Right now, my motivation of embracing the suck of summer running is running my first half marathon (I've done 1 before, but it was with an overuse injury that blew up at mile 6 and caused me to walk the 2nd half - failure in my crazy brain - and which led to my prolonged period of falling out of running), and getting back to my former 5k PR time of 22:50 (I have a long ways to go seeing as I'm at just under 29:00 right now). I'm not sure where/if it's going to stop, I always used to say I'd be happy maxing out at half marathons, but now I've already decided that I'm definitely going to go for a full marathon by the end of next year. I'm an all or nothing kind of person with exercise in general. When I get out of it, I am so lazy, but once I get back into it it's full-force addicted to it, lol.
Now don't misunderstand me. Easy runs are supposed to be run easy.
But the more challenging runs should be run in a way that will make you feel uncomfortable.
When I invent new ways to suck, that means I find something each week that is going to take me from down here to up there. Maybe it means instead of doing 8 hill repeats on Thursday, I now bump it up to 10. Or Monday and Thursday I will sneak 5 of the 9 miles in at goal marathon pace. Or instead of 15 mile long run this week, it's an 18 or 20 miler. Something a little extra added that will make me feel it this week.
On the other hand, if every run you do, you feel like you are pushing it, then every run migrates to this mediocre state. The easy runs are ran too hard which means you don't recover enough so that you can run the tempo run (or whatever hard workout you have planned) is actually being done at your threshold pace. Instead you are just a bit slower. It sucks when you are running, but the effort is not enough to achieve whatever it was you were supposed to achieve.
As far as bumping my goals. I ran my first marathon after running for 14 months. I remember that first December 2013, I was only running for 2 months. The local paper had a headline Local Man Wins Rocket City Marathon. I thought to myself, these guys are crazy for running that much. Exactly 12 months later, I was running that very same Rocket Marathon for the very first time. LOL
And yes. When I say that I am goal orientated and what not. How you described it is exactly how I am. All or nothing. I get bored. I get lazy. I slack off. Ok, this is stupid. Let me do something else.
Oh yeah, don't get me wrong, I still do my easy runs easy. It's just a mental effort to make sure I don't push while I'm doing them, lol.1 -
8/1 - 6 miles
8/2 - 6 miles
8/3 - rest day
8/4 - 6 miles
8/5 - 6 miles
8/6 - rest day - went to a race with Skip
8/7 - 10 miles
8/8 - unscheduled rest day
8/9 - 6 miles
8/10 - 6 miles
8/11 - 6 miles in and out of the misty rain - so nice!
8/12 - 3 miles
8/13 - rest day
8/14 - 10 miles
8/15 - rest day Skip had an early dentist appt
8/16 - 6 miles
8/17 - 6 miles
8/18 - 5 miles
82 out of 110 miles
Got out of the gate alittle late this morning and my legs felt a bit tired so I went with 5.
@9voice9 twig and berries - ha ha!!!!
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Date Miles today - Miles for August
8/1 9 miles - 9
8/1 4.5 miles - 13.5 << Daily Double
8/2 9 miles - 22.5
8/2 4 miles - 26.5 << Daily Double
8/3 5 miles - 31.5
8/4 9 miles - 40.5
8/4 4 miles - 44.5 << Daily Double
8/5 5.25 miles - 49.75
8/6 20.97 miles - 70.72
8/7 REST DAY
8/8 7 miles - 77.72
8/8 4 miles - 81.72 << Daily Double
8/9 9 miles - 90.72
8/9 5 miles - 95.72 << Daily Double
8/10 5 miles - 100.72
8/11 9 miles - 109.72
8/11 5 miles - 114.72 << Daily Double
8/12 5 miles - One Hundred Nineteen, point seventy two
8/13 16 miles - 135.72
8/14 REST DAY
8/15 8 miles - 143.72
8/16 8 miles - 151.72
8/17 5 miles - 156.72
8/18 9.5 miles - 166.22
Upcoming races:
UAH 8K - 3/6 <<< 34:33 3 in AG
Oak Barrel HM - 4/2 <<<< 1:38:00 3 in AG
Bridge Street HM - 4/10 <<< 1:36:33 3 in AG
PEO-AVN Team Day 5K - 5/4 <<< 19:10 (2.9 mi) 1 in AG 5 OA
Cotton Row Run 10K - 5/30 << 44:57 PR
Firecracker Chase 10.2 miler 6/25 << 1:20:22 1 in AG & 15 OA
Rocket City Marathon - 12/10
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In case there are no margaritas around, maybe this helps a little tooBrain bleach sounds great (margarita style). So I may have to sneak around like a teen.
@Somebody_Loved I think if I had ever tried to put a leash on my cat, the photo would have looked a little different. Mostly, with me bleeding from cuts oll over, holding the remains of a shredded leash
He loved being outside, but the only time we ever tried putting an anti-tick-collar on him, he nearly strangled himself trying to get it off.
I've sometimes seen people with with cats on campsites, and thought it would be nice if you could take the cat on vacation with you, but I have no idea how they managed to convince their cats of that!
@MNLittleFinn Were your new trail shoes in the running warehouse box? Which ones did you get?
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I'm really behind on running this week.
Tuesday I went hiking with some colleagues. Not as much as planned: we drove over to the mountains right after work, and as soon as we arrived, a heavy storm came out of nowhere. After half an hour spent sitting in the car, listening to the thunder and watching the hail impact on the windscreen, we gave up and drove to the next village for some beer and "flammekueche". Two hours later, we were back at the mountain; but it was already too late to hike all the way to the top of the mountain before nightfall. We only went ~2km before turning back. I know why I avoid running there - no trail less than 20% incline anywhere to be found in that area! 2km forward corresponded to almost 0.5km up, so it was still exhausting enough that I didn't feel like running anymore when I came home.
Somewhere along the way, I foolishly invited everyone to my place for dinner today; so I spent the entire evening yesterday shopping, tidying, cleaning (necessary after dragging the mud from the hiking boots all over the place), getting extra chairs and another little table from the cellar and then rearranging all other furniture to be able to squeeze everything in my little living room. When I was done, I was soaked in sweat, my "dinner" had been a few cookies munched along the way, and it was past midnight. I was actually looking forward to a "relaxing" run as a reward for all that hard work, but after the first couple of steps I realised I had ZERO energy. My training plan said 14.5km, but there was no way that was happening. I decided I'm just going to call this week an unplanned cutback week and settled for a nice easy jog (yes, jog) to enjoy the night air and the pretty werewolf moon
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Now I'll have to see if I manage at least a quick run tonight between work and dinner...2 -
@_nikkiwolf_ yup my new trail shoes I got the Saucony Xodus. For what I do they are great, and they are about the same weight as my other shoes. Also got a box of honey stinger gels.0
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8/1 - 40 mins total body strength + pilates, 20 min light cardio, stretching
8/2 - 3 mi walk - .75 mi of which was running intervals to test out my leg
8/3 - 3.1 mi walk - again I ran about .75 mi in short intervals, also a few tiny hill repeats
8/4 - 20 min light cardio, 55 min strength&pilates
8/5 - 3 mi walk
8/6 - back to school shopping wore me out!
8/7 - just totally being a lazy bum here....no excuse
8/8 - 20 min light cardio....45 min mix of strength and pilates with a little cardio
8/9 - .5 mile warm up walk...3 mile RUN
8/10 - 3 mile walk, 20 minutes pilates/body weight exercises
8/11 - .5 mi walk/3 mi run/.5 mi walk
8/12 - 3 mi run
8/13 - Funeral day and yardwork
8/14 - .5 mi walk, 4 mi run with 3 third mile hill repeats, .5 mi walk......17 min pilates/body weight exercises
8/15 - 3 mi walk.....20 min light cardio
8/16 - 3.1 mi walk AM......PM - 10 min warm up cardio then 45 min strength training
8/17 - 45 min indoor cardio, 15 min light walking in my office
8/18 - 3.25 mi walk......hopefully pilates later
Running Goal: 13 of I QUIT :-p
Non-running goals: Take my strength training more seriously this month/Lose 5lbs (3lbs down!)
The morning walks are nice....but I miss running. It was tempting to try it this morning. Trying to remember to ice the back of my knee a few times a day.
By the way, I did NOT want to get up this morning. I don't think I've ever wanted to get out of bed even once in my life actually. But anyway......got dressed to go walk, got my precious/evil Diet Coke and proceeded to make hubby's coffee. Well, I stinkin' forgot to put the cup under the Keurig and coffee started running all over the counter! Ugh. What a mess.1 -
Man all this bashing on summer and the nice warm/hot weather. Where my lizards at?! I need to find a heat buddy, I love running in the dead heat of the day. I could also find a big rock and just lay there completely happy so maybe I'm just part lizard man (the dinosaurs didn't die, they evolved).
Also if anyone is looking for some cross training type activities and are short on equipment/space I would strongly recommend Darebee.com. 90% bodyweight stuff that is designed around working out at your house. Free site with a good community attached to it.3 -
OK, I have a question for y'all.
Today I woke up with some weird tightness in my right leg that I've not experienced before. It starts at the top of my quad and radiates around my glute to my hamstring. Is this the IT band? I've never had any experience with IT band issues, so I have no idea what to do about this discomfort. As it is, I'm taking a rest day today to let it recover.
Edit: I think it may be time to invest in a foam roller.0 -
Man all this bashing on summer and the nice warm/hot weather. Where my lizards at?! I need to find a heat buddy, I love running in the dead heat of the day. I could also find a big rock and just lay there completely happy so maybe I'm just part lizard man (the dinosaurs didn't die, they evolved).
Also if anyone is looking for some cross training type activities and are short on equipment/space I would strongly recommend Darebee.com. 90% bodyweight stuff that is designed around working out at your house. Free site with a good community attached to it.
I cannot say I love running in the heat, but I do it because I love what running in the heat does. if you need a heat running partner, come to Alabama USA. :-)RespectTheKitty wrote: »OK, I have a question for y'all.
Today I woke up with some weird tightness in my right leg that I've not experienced before. It starts at the top of my quad and radiates around my glute to my hamstring. Is this the IT band? I've never had any experience with IT band issues, so I have no idea what to do about this discomfort. As it is, I'm taking a rest day today to let it recover.
Edit: I think it may be time to invest in a foam roller.
Foam Rolling is good. Maybe also look into yoga.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmzfot_6HcE
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8/1 - 2.23 - HS XC Practice
8/2 - 6.0 - Easy
8/2 - 4.15 - Easy
8/3 - 15.03 - Easy
8/4 - 6.0 - Recovery
8/5 - 11.06 Easy + 3.47 @ MP XC Practice
8/6 - 7.0 Easy W/ 10 x 160M Strides
8/7 - 10.22 MP
8/8 - 4.38 Recovery
9/9 - 9.53 Easy
9/10 - 11.05 VO2Max workout with 6x600 w/ 400 recovery @ 5k pace.
9/11 - 6.02 Recovery
8/12 - 12.49 - Easy w/ 6.3 @ MP
8/13 - 8.5 Easy
8/14 - 22.01 - Long Run
8/15 - 3.0 - Recovery
8/16 -10.06 - Easy
8/17 - 16.21 - Easy
8/18 - 5.4 - Recovery
Total 173.42 of 285 miles
Today was a recovery day, nice and easy, Tomorrow is one of the 2-3 workouts on my plan that i'm not all that excited about. 12 miles total w/ 7 at Threshold. I guess this is the embrace the suck workout.MNLittleFinn wrote: »Tomorrow is supposed to be 8x1000m cruise intervals, total mileage about 8 miles. Thinking, if my ankle feels good to run, I'll just do like 8-9 miles easy instead, so I can get the mileage, but not the pounding the faster work adds.
I thought about you at some point in my run, I know kinda creepy right? I had a feeling you'd run, and not really do it easy. 9 miles at 9:22 pace.
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The IT Band is actually (look at the picture above) the long muscle (in white) that starts at the top from the gluteous medius and stretches all the way down to the outside part of your knee to the top of your shin.
http://www.pilates-back-joint-exercise.com/it-band-syndrome.html0 -
RespectTheKitty wrote: »OK, I have a question for y'all.
Today I woke up with some weird tightness in my right leg that I've not experienced before. It starts at the top of my quad and radiates around my glute to my hamstring. Is this the IT band? I've never had any experience with IT band issues, so I have no idea what to do about this discomfort. As it is, I'm taking a rest day today to let it recover.
Edit: I think it may be time to invest in a foam roller.
In my case IT band issues hurt around the outside of my knee. You might be hurting more in your sciatic or piriformis nerve. I have a compressed disc in my lower back and it presses on my sciatic nerve. Every day I feel pain in the middle of my butt cheek that radiates down through my hamstring area. When I'm running it feels a bit like a hamstring pull. Definitely get a foam roller.
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@5512bf 9:22 wasn't too crazy, the downhills on the run really helped. Going by average HR, I was just at the top of zone 2. That said, yeah, I could have gone slower. It just felt right
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@MNLittleFinn i love my xodus. and the waterproof works.
@RespectTheKitty foam rolling is good. yoga is good too. do both. i teach both. I love it. i would say a 36in roller is nice for home use0 -
@MNLittleFinn Maybe I just have the wrong kind of other shoes to compare with (and it probably doesn't help that I have the GTX version, which is like 15-20g heavier than the regular version), but for me they just feel really heavy, already when I take them out of the closet. It's not all in my head either:
This is the weight comparison if I enter them into a comparator (on runrepeat.com), together with my other shoes.
From top to bottom: Saucony Zealot, S. Cortana(*), S. Xodus GTX, Brooks PureFlow, Asics Runnegade
(*: have I mentioned yet this week how upset I am that Saucony discontinued the Cortana? *sigh*)
Other than the weight, they are fine. Good for you that you like them
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You are in the stage we call, "Embrace the suck!". Keep at it, and it will no longer suck, but then you stop improving.
Other people do have this zen attitude with running. They just go and run and are able to just zone out and forget the watch, forget the pace, forget the pain, and just run for the sake of running. No goals, no BQs, no PRs, just pure endorphines.
Having participated in many sports I am definitely familiar with always pushing yourself way past comfortable in order to improve. I'm not opposed to that at all. It's just that my current slow jog doesn't seem like it should feel as tough as it does. I suppose I'm still remembering being able to run a lot faster without this much effort...although I did sprint distances in track so it's not really a fair comparison. I didn't start trying to do a 5K distance until my 30's. I don't know...I guess some days I just feel old & pathetic.
@MobyCarp thanks for your encouragement. I think I have been expecting I should be able to add mileage & speed more quickly than I can. I have to keep remembering that I'm not 18 anymore and I just can't/ won't improve as quickly as I did once upon a time, and even more critically, that recovery takes longer & more effort. Also, I am surrounded by a lot of very fit & active people and I suppose sometimes it's hard not to compare my "chapter 1" to their "chapter 20" (especially because I'm essentially re-starting chapter 1).
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@cljoe7 It does get easier! I used to have loads of thoughts of just giving up while running. I'd almost forgotten about that, even though it was less than a year ago.
Great comment about pushing out the negative thoughts. I'm a huge fan of cognitive behavioural therapy.
My motto in life is, "Don't believe everything you think. Challenge your thoughts." Works in everything, and every time you do it, it helps the next time.
Thanks @Orphia ! I really appreciate the encouragement.
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5BeautifulDays wrote: »I was down with what I think might be migraines for a couple days over the weekend. It's just been painfully hot and humid, too. But yesterday I got out for a short evening run (2 miles) and another this morning (another 2). They were quite slow since I brought my kids with me and they're not used to running the whole way yet, but they're getting a little better each time!
I'm sorry I'm not following along with everyone this month, but I love you guys and wish you well!
Awesome that you are getting your kids into it!
No worries following along. We understand some people have a life outside MFP (not me obviously). Keep rockin' those family runs!2 -
8/1 circuit training
8/3 circuit training
8/5 circuit training
8/8 circuit training
8/9 1.4 miles
8/10 circuit training
8/12 circuit training + 1.6 miles
8/14 1.7 miles
8/15 circuit training
8/16 2 miles
8/17 circuit training
8/18 2 miles
My current situation: I tried to get back into running in the spring (after a few years of general laziness and weight gain) and promptly injured my IT band. I went to an orthopedic doctor who sent me to physical therapy, but I grew tired of the copays and slow progress and decided if all we were going to do was strength train other areas, I could do that with a personal trainer and get a good workout for my time and money. So for the last month and a half, I've been getting my butt kicked 3 times a week (in what I'm labeling "circuit training" above). My knee still feels a little "weird," but hopefully I will be able to start adding some mileage. On an "imbrace the suck" note... the heat/humidity is curbing any desire to do too much too soon.
Meanwhile, both of my sons are now running high school cross country... I'm so excited for the first meets next week!
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@mbaker566 Love the new profile pic :-D
@Elise4270 I'm with you....no life outside of MFP
@5BeautifulDays Thankfully this is not like those jr high school clubs where you are required to do 2 fundraisers a year to stay a member! Hehe. Checking in should be fun, not a burden, so just drop in when you can.2 -
Marissaxzxzxz wrote: »02/08 4 miles
03/08 4 miles
17/08 4 miles - missed 2 full weeks, the weather's been shockingly bad but this was the best run I've had since April/May. I've fallen behind in reading everyone posts again. I was so annoyed with myself for not getting out that I couldn't bring myself to read the posts. Maybe if I had it would have motivated me to brace the wind and rain and go. I must buy a rain proof jacket as I've only got a wind breaker.
SHOPPING! Erm. Retail therapy! I love running in the rain. Reading the post are definitely would have motivated you to get out there with the return of: EMBRACE THE SUCK - Ina new rain jacket!1 -
I'm trying to figure out what to do this weekend. I had a scheduled 22 mile long run that I did last weekend since I thought I better take advantage of the good weather not knowing what this weekend would hold. Now that I see I've got even better morning weather I'm think just an easy 15 would be a waste of a God given 60 degree morning. I've always wanted to try this 5-4-3-2-1 long run. Anyone of you marathoners ever tried this.
http://running.competitor.com/2015/09/training/workout-week-5-4-3-2-1-long-run_113444
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You are in the stage we call, "Embrace the suck!". Keep at it, and it will no longer suck, but then you stop improving.
Other people do have this zen attitude with running. They just go and run and are able to just zone out and forget the watch, forget the pace, forget the pain, and just run for the sake of running. No goals, no BQs, no PRs, just pure endorphines.
Having participated in many sports I am definitely familiar with always pushing yourself way past comfortable in order to improve. I'm not opposed to that at all. It's just that my current slow jog doesn't seem like it should feel as tough as it does. I suppose I'm still remembering being able to run a lot faster without this much effort...although I did sprint distances in track so it's not really a fair comparison. I didn't start trying to do a 5K distance until my 30's. I don't know...I guess some days I just feel old & pathetic.
@MobyCarp thanks for your encouragement. I think I have been expecting I should be able to add mileage & speed more quickly than I can. I have to keep remembering that I'm not 18 anymore and I just can't/ won't improve as quickly as I did once upon a time, and even more critically, that recovery takes longer & more effort. Also, I am surrounded by a lot of very fit & active people and I suppose sometimes it's hard not to compare my "chapter 1" to their "chapter 20" (especially because I'm essentially re-starting chapter 1).
@cljoe7 I can totally relate to all of this. Me also growing up playing many different sports we did a lot of running. And yes, a slow job never felt this tough.
But now I am 44. There was a long period of time between college and about 2.5 years ago where I was very athletic at all (minus a few seasons of beer softball leagues and the occasional pickup basketball game at lunch with workmates). But growing up, I never ran the amount of distance I run now. Even during football season and wrestling season, if I actually ran a total of 20 miles per week, I would be surprised. I know regularly run between 60-70 miles each week. And constantly trying to improve.
Something else to look at as far as recovery is concerned is how much protein do you get in? Until I came on here on mfp and started tracking my food, it would be easy for me to not get enough protein in. Runners tend to make sure we get enough carbs in but forget the protein too. I tend to follow the body builders attitude about protein intake, although I may not be getting 1g/lb of my body weight. But I make sure I get a lot in especially if recovery seems to be too slow.2 -
instantmartian wrote: »
I decided to do a loop that would allow me to stop at home twice throughout my run. Because if this, it added several minutes to my time, but I'm not too concerned with that for training. First stop at home, just after 3 miles, and I had some water and a little bit of fruit. Second stop at home, at nearly 6.5 miles, I just had some water. I decided to finish out the last 1.5 miles by running the hill (approximately a 4% grade) in my neighborhood that I live in the middle of. From the end of my block to the dead end at the top, it's approximately .25 miles. By the end of the run, I ran that hill a total of 5 times.
My calves and hips started to seriously stiffen up around the 6 mile mark, I think it was simply a fatigue issue, because they loosened up not too long after I stopped and everything seems to be fine, again.
At this point, I'm not entirely sure how I managed to run a half marathon in February because I feel like I am nowhere close to being ready to run another one a month from now.
08/02 7.00 mi
08/04 3.00 mi
08/06 6.23 mi
08/09 4.00 mi
08/15 4.00 mi
08/17 8.00 mi
TOTAL 32.23 mi
Upcoming 2016 Races:
09/18 – Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon
09/24 – The Great Pumpkin Run 5K
10/09 – 5,000 Yards Dash
Sounds like you are doing your training runs right- focus on distance, fuel , hydration.
You have a 7, 6+ and and 8 mile run under your belt this month. I ran 9, a very sloppy 9, as my longest hm training. I think you can do the hm in a month, and you'll be surprised. This one in a month is a pre Feb HM, just a training race. Because by February you'll be able to dial in your pace and strategy. And it's a RNR run? You'll be ready.
Get your mind right. Adopt a mantra. "I'm strong, I'm trained, I can do this" or when that negativity creeps in just before the race- "so what" . So what if I walk, so what if I'm past my time goal, so what... It's not a crisis. It's fine. "I'm strong,. I'm trained, I can do this". Dismiss that negativity. It's not valid. Your a bad *kitten*.
@ddmom0811 and I ran our first hm's on the same day. Having a training buddy helped. (Anyone running the same weekend?) She came across a blog turned book by Brook Kreder "Onward".. it helped manage my fears, find solace, and see the humor and spirit of running.
That goes for all of us, don't that let doubt creep in. Y'all are beast's! We are runners.
Ps- a month out from the race, have a massage1
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